Driving While License Suspended

Legal Definition

A person commits this offense by operating a motor vehicle on a public highway while that person's driver's license or privilege to drive has been suspended, revoked, or denied by the Motor Vehicle Division or a court. The offense applies when the driver knows or reasonably should know of the suspension or revocation. It is a separate violation from driving without ever having obtained a license.

Possible Punishment

Up to 364 days in county jail and a fine up to $1,000. The court may impose an additional period of license revocation. Repeat violations within a five-year period may result in enhanced penalties, including mandatory minimum jail time and longer revocation periods.

Criminal Traffic Cases in Doña Ana County

Not every traffic offense is a ticket. Driving on a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, and fleeing an officer are criminal charges that end in booking rather than a citation, and they appear constantly in our feed. Suspended-license charges in particular tend to snowball: unpaid fines lead to suspension, driving anyway leads to arrest, and missing the court date adds a bench warrant.

Criminal traffic cases are heard in Las Cruces Municipal Court for city violations and Doña Ana Magistrate Court for state charges. If alcohol or drugs are involved, the case moves into DWI territory with its own mandatory penalties.

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